During the months of mid-March to early November, the Westin Excelsior Hotel offers a rejuvenating haven on the Venice Lido. Guests enjoy gorgeous water views, and the famous Piazza San Marco is only a short boat ride away. Reception and public areas are very large and airy and beautifully appointed with marble columns and marble floors. All 175 guestrooms feature soothing views of the sea, lagoon or gardens, and have been sumptuously decorated in Iberian-Moresque style. The rooms are impeccably maintained, as are the en suite bathrooms. Guests can relax by the beautiful outdoor pool or reinvigorate with a tennis match on one of the clay courts. The hotel also offers a variety of dining options. Made famous by movie stars from the world over, the “Tropicana Restaurant & Terrace” offers romantic views of the Adriatic Sea and serves innovative regional and international cuisine. During the summer months of July, August, and September, candlelight dining on its terrace is complemented by live music. (Reservations are recommended.) Open daily for breakfast and lunch, the informal “La Taverna” Restaurant, at beach level, is decorated in bamboo and adorned with graceful vine trellises. And for internationally famed cocktails and a selection of Italian snacks, look no further than the intimate “Blue Bar”. Characterised by 1960s-style pastel coloured hues, this piano bar offers delightful entertainment in a sophisticated, yet casual ambience.